Bicycle



I 3 Sheet-SheehL G. L. TRAVIS. BICYCLE. I

Patented Mar. 9, 1897.

(No Model.)

("No Model.) s shets-shefi 2. C. L. TRAVIS.

BICYCLE.

No. 578,615. Patented Mar. 9, 1897.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet a.

C. L. TRAVIS. BIGYGLB.

' N0. 5'78,615. Patefited Mar.- 9, 1897,.

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UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

CHARLES L. TRAVIS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HYGIENIO WHEEL COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,615, dated March 9, 1897.

Application filed May 11,1896- Serial No. 591,105. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. TRAVIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles or Like Vehicles, of which the following is a specification. 4

My invention relates to bicycles, and more particularly to that class in which a yielding frame is employed to take up or absorb the shock imparted to the machine when passin over obstructions or uneven places in the roadway.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wheel, showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2, a perspective view of a portion of the frame and attendant parts; Fig. 3, averticalsectional view; Fig. 4:, a similar view showing the parts in a different relation; and Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view on the line mm, Fig. 3.

The object of my invention is to provide a yielding or cushion frame for bicycles or the like, the means employed in the present device being designed more especially for the so-called drop-frame or ladies machine.

Under the constructions set forth in my previous patents, Nos. 564,319 and 564,546, dated July 21, 1896, two telescoping tubular members having a spring extending their entire length and forming an inclosed air-chamher were shown as occupying the entire available space between the periphery of the rear wheel and the upper end of the pillar-post or saddle-post standard. The construction was shown as applied to a diamond frame, and with such forms of frame the available space necessary to secure the proper length of spring sirable under some conditions. Especially is this so where the very low type of dropframe is used. Tothis end I have devised the following construction:

Referring to Fig. 1, A indicates the pillarpost, at the lower end of which is formed or secured the crank hanger or bearing B, while the upper end of said post is designed to receive the saddle-support C. Rigidly secured to the lower part of the pillar-post and crankhanger are the front bars D and E, which extend forward and upwardly, terminating in the head F, as is usual in the construction of the drop-frame. Gdenotes the front'fork, and F the wheel carried thereby. These parts are in all particularsthe same as the machines of this type now on the market.

H indicates the rear-wheel fork, said fork being pivotally connected in rear of the crank-hanger. The form of connection is not an essential partof the present invention and need not be herein considered in detail.

Pivotally connected at or near the rear end of the rear-wheel fork is a brace I, said brace straddling the wheel and having formed at its upper end or extremity two lugs, each provided with a bolt-hole. Pivotally secured to this brace is a triangular frame J, comprising the three members K, L, and M. The members K and L are preferably formed of tubing, one end of each being brazed to a forging N, which is adapted to fit between the lugs on the upper end of the brace I and form a pivotal connection therewith. The other ends of the tube are secured, respectively, to the upper and lower ends of the member M. This member or pressure-plate M is formed, preferably, of sheet-steel, andin cross section is substantially semicylindrical.

At a point slightly above the connection of the tube K the plate is pressed inwardly, forming a seat, into which is fitted and secured a tube 0. Instead of a tube a solid bar may be brazed in the seat and afterward boredout. The pressure-plate diverges or takes a slightly-different angle on the opposite side of the tube 0, as will be clearly seen upon reference to all the figures, but more particularly'in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

P denotes a strap of metal passed around and secured to the pillar-post, terminating in ICO the rearwardly-extending lugs to a. Between these lugs is pivoted the pressure-plate M, a

bolt Q passing through the lugs a a and the tube 0.

R denotes a flexible inflated tube. This tube is preferably formed of rubber and in practice is made by laying up fabric and rubber in the manner in which the ordinary tubing or pneumatic tires are formed. In the process of manufacture two nuts or screwsockets b b are built into the tube, and screws 0 c, passing through openings (1 (Z in the pressure-plate,hold the tube down upon said plate.

The tube is slightly contracted at that point where it fits in between the lugs a a and over the seat formed for the tube 0, so that there may be no wearing or chafing of the tube upon these parts. This contraction of the tube also forms two chambers within the tube, an upper and a lower one, connected by a somewhat restricted passage.

When the parts are assembled, the lower end of the tube is put under slight compression, under which condition it fits slightly around the pillar-post, as is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The tube also touches the pillar-post slightly at a point above the pivot of the pressure-plate when the parts are in their normal position. This slight pressure on both sides of the pivot keeps the parts in their normal position and maintains the rear brace and the tube L in alinement.

' WVhen the rid er is seated, the upper portion of the tube will be compressed to a slight degree by the action of the plate M swinging on its pivot, the upper end of said plate coming more nearly into alinementwith the pillarpost. When the machine passes over an obstruction, the rear brace I and the member L of the triangular frame J will be thrown out of alinem cut and a greater portion of the tube R laid up against the pillar-post, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby compressing the air within said tube and taking up the shock which would otherwise be imparted to the rider through the machine. So soon as the obstruction is passed the frame J, rocking on the pivot of the pressure-plate M, assumes its normal position and the tube R is relieved of all pressure other than that to which it was subjected when the parts were assembled and the additional pressure due to the Weight of the rider.

The air confined within the tube will of course be sufficient to keep the parts in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 3 under all normal conditions. Should it be desired, however, to render the action less yielding, I may provide the tube R with a valve S, by means of which the air may be maintained in the tube to any desired degree of compression. hen the tube is highly inflated, the degree of force necessary to lay it up against the pillar-post must necessarily be increased. The tube being brought up gradually by the pressureplate against the pillar-post, the action of the frame is quicker at the first part of the movement than at the last, for the air becomes compressed in the tube as the tube is laid up against the pillar-post. As soon as the obstruction is passed over the frame tends to assume its normal position.

Greater orless cushioning action maybe obtained by varying the relation of the pivotal point of the pressure-plate upon the pillarpost and extending or shortening said plate and tube R to correspond.

If the pivotal point is thrown well down upon the pillar-post and the other parts constructed to correspond, a long tube may be employed and a sensitive cushioning action secured.

The lower end of the tube being under slight normal compression, there is no tendency for the rear portion of the frame to drop down when the machine is lifted by the front rigid portion of the frame. This lower portion of the tube inclosing or forming the lower smaller air-chamber before alluded to will, when the upper portion of the tube is under compression, assume approximately its full size, but the extra amount of air which it will accommodate or contain is relatively Very small and has no appreciable effect on the volume of air contained in the upper portion of the tube.

Aparticular formation of the tube has been shown and described, which form I believe is preferable, but I do not wish to limit myself thereto.

While the present construction of the device is designed more especially for the dropframe type, I do not wish to restrict myself to that particular form, as the invention is applicable to other forms as well. Especially is this true of the low-frame diamond type.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In combination with the frame of a bicycle or like vehicle, a pressure device standing normally at an angle thereto, and an interposed pneumatic cushion or buffer, said pressure device being adapted to swing gradually into approximate alinement with the frame, and thereby to press upon the cushion with a gradually-increasing surface.

2. In combination with the rigid front frame of a bicycle; a rear frame jointed thereto; and an interposed pneumatic cushion or buffer, the parts being arranged substantially as described, whereby when the bicycle passes an obstruction pressure will automatically be brought to bear at or near one end of the buffer gradually toward the other end.

3. In a bicycle the combination of a rigid front frame; a rear-wheel fork pivotally connected thereto; a brace pivotally connected to the fork at or near its end; a triangular frame pivotally connected to the upper end of the fork and to the front frame, and having that member located next to the front frame curved in cross-section and an elastic buffer or cushion secured to the curved member.

4:. In a bicycle the combination of a front frame; a rear-wheel fork pivotally connected ICC IIO

thereto; a brace pivoted to the fork at or near its end; a pressure device pivoted to the upper end of the brace and to the front frame; and an elastic cushion interposed between the pressure device and the main frame and extending above and below the pivotal connection of the pressure device to the main frame.

5. In a bicycle the combination of the front frame and pillar-post; a pneumatic cushion held against said post and designed to be compressed directly thereon and a rear frame jointed to the pillar-post and bearing against the pneumatic cushion, whereby when the machine passes over an obstruction the rear frame will press the cushion directly upon the pillar-post.

6. In combination with the front frame of a bicycle; a rear-wheel fork pivoted thereto; a brace pivotally connected to the fork at or near its rear end; a frame comprising two tubular members K and L, and a semicircular plate M, said plate being pivotally connected to the pillar-post and diverging from said post on both sides of the pivotal point; and an elastic cushion seated upon said semicircular member and bearing at its lower end against the pillar-post.

7. In a bicycle or like vehicle, the combination of the front frame'and the rear-wheel fork pivotallyconnected thereto; the brace I pivoted to the rear fork at or near its end; the frame J pivoted to the upper end of said brace; said frame comprising the members K, L and lWI, the latter being semicircular in cross-section and provided with the pivotal connection 0; a flexible tube R secured to said plate M, and strap P passing about the pillar-post of the front frame and terminating in the rearwardly-extending lugs a, a, between which the plate M is pivoted.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. TRAVIS. 

